Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the The Planted Tank Forum forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Topic Review (Newest First)

12-03-2012 12:33 AM

maxtcee

I just ordered this one it has all test in one and price isn't thatbad considering each test cost around 15-25$

There are, somewhere on the internet, posts and websites about calibrating your test kit. You create known acids, bases, amounts of nitrates, etc...and see how your test kit reacts to them. Then, even if it's off, you know how much it's off.

I see, it makes sense

01-08-2011 07:09 PM

sepehr

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradC

There is actually a sticky in the Fertilizers and Water Parameters forum on this site by Hoppy. It shows you how to calibrate Phosphate and Nitrate test kits.

I like the API test kits as well. Not too expensive, and accurate enough for home aquarium use.

The only thing I dislike are the cheap glass test tubes they package with their kits. They're so thin and fragile that I have to assume they're intended to break and cause you to buy a new kit. (or at least another API test tube)

I've been using the plastic vials that came with my Tetra Laborett test kit after my cat broke most of my API vials.

Tom

LOL, your cat probably gets too jealous coz youre spending too much time testing your tank's water parameters and not spending enough time with him. By the way is Tetra Laborett any good?

01-08-2011 05:46 PM

BradC

Quote:

Originally Posted by smackpixi

There are, somewhere on the internet, posts and websites about calibrating your test kit. You create known acids, bases, amounts of nitrates, etc...and see how your test kit reacts to them. Then, even if it's off, you know how much it's off.

There is actually a sticky in the Fertilizers and Water Parameters forum on this site by Hoppy. It shows you how to calibrate Phosphate and Nitrate test kits.

There are, somewhere on the internet, posts and websites about calibrating your test kit. You create known acids, bases, amounts of nitrates, etc...and see how your test kit reacts to them. Then, even if it's off, you know how much it's off.

01-07-2011 10:22 PM

Darkblade48

As mentioned, the API test kits work fine for our hobby-related purposes.

If you want to "upscale" end test kits, LaMotte is the way to go (but they are pricey).

01-07-2011 08:45 PM

Powchekny

I like the API test kits as well. Not too expensive, and accurate enough for home aquarium use.

The only thing I dislike are the cheap glass test tubes they package with their kits. They're so thin and fragile that I have to assume they're intended to break and cause you to buy a new kit. (or at least another API test tube)

I've been using the plastic vials that came with my Tetra Laborett test kit after my cat broke most of my API vials.

Tom

01-07-2011 08:13 PM

BradC

api

01-07-2011 07:55 PM

sepehr

the best test kit?

I know there isn't a perfect test kit outhere but what's the most reliable one? I was using the Red Sea test kit called Fresh Lab Deluxe which included low & high PH range, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH, KH, Fe, CO2 and I bought the Phosphate test kit separately from the same brand. I'm afraid they're already outdated and LFS doesn't carry the Red Sea brand anymore so I'm looking for another test kit? Any suggestions?